Quinone Oxidation of Sulfonated Triarylmethane Dyes for High Purity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synthetic methods for sulfonated triarylmethane dyes, such as Patent Blue V and Isosulfan Blue, suffer from high impurity content, particularly desalkylated derivatives like desethyl compounds, and residual salts, which are difficult to remove using conventional purification techniques, and often involve the use of hazardous oxidizing agents.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the oxidation of sulfonated triphenylmethane compounds using quinones like 1,4-benzoquinone in nonpolar protic solvents, followed by precipitation, to produce high-purity sulfonated triarylmethane dyes with minimal degradation and residual salts, achieving yields of at least 99.0% purity and less than 0.1% monodealkylated derivatives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional oxidation methods using strong oxidizing agents (lead oxide, iron phthalocyanine/oxone) are used to convert leucobase to triarylmethane dye, then the oxidation reaction proceeds effectively, but hazardous substances are introduced and product purity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation effectivenessVSAvoidhazardous oxidizing agents and impurities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical nature of the oxidizing agent from traditional strong oxidants (lead oxide, iron phthalocyanine, oxone) to organic peroxides (tert-butyl hydroperoxide, mCPB, dicumyl peroxide). This parameter change in oxidant type eliminates heavy metal contamination and hazardous substances while maintaining effective oxidation of leucobase to triarylmethane dye, resolving the contradiction between oxidation effectiveness and harmful factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs organic peroxides as temporary oxidizing agents that decompose completely after reaction, leaving no persistent harmful residues. These reagents are consumed in the reaction and do not accumulate in the final product, unlike heavy metal-based oxidants, thereby eliminating long-term contamination issues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional purification methods are used to remove desalkylated derivatives, then some impurities are reduced, but the process becomes complex and cannot achieve complete removal

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepurityVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary prevention of desalkylation by optimizing reaction conditions (using sulfonated triphenylmethane compounds with electron-withdrawing groups, controlling temperature and pH). This preliminary action prevents the formation of desalkylated impurities at the source, eliminating the need for complex downstream purification steps and achieving high purity directly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs extraction techniques to selectively remove desalkylated derivatives from the reaction mixture. By using appropriate solvents and extraction conditions, the unwanted impurities are separated from the desired product, achieving high purity without requiring multiple complex purification stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If fuming sulfonic acid treatment is applied to sulfonate triarylmethane structure, then sulfonation occurs rapidly, but the triarylmethane structure degrades very rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesulfonation rateVSAvoidtriarylmethane structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the sulfonating agent from fuming sulfonic acid to milder alternatives (sulfur trioxide, gaseous sulfur trioxide, or sulfonation under acidic conditions with controlled pH). This parameter change in sulfonating reagent strength maintains adequate sulfonation rates while preventing rapid degradation of the triarylmethane structure, resolving the contradiction between productivity and structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs controlled, stepwise sulfonation conditions rather than aggressive continuous treatment. By using milder reagents and controlling reaction parameters (temperature, pH, concentration), the sulfonation proceeds at a sustained rate without causing structural collapse, effectively managing the balance between reaction speed and structure preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Productivity

If conventional synthesis processes are used to manufacture sulfonated triarylmethane dyes, then the dyes are produced, but high impurity content and residual salts remain that are difficult to separate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedye productionVSAvoidproduct purity and salt removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes multiple process parameters simultaneously: uses organic peroxide oxidation instead of traditional oxidants, employs specific sulfonating agents, controls pH and temperature ranges, and selects appropriate solvents. These coordinated parameter changes enable production of high-purity dye with minimal impurities and salt content, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The process yields high-purity sulfonated triarylmethane dyes, such as Patent Blue V and Isosulfan Blue, with minimal impurities and no residual salts, ensuring stability and cost-effectiveness for industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

oxidation of sulfonated triphenylmethane compounds using quinones like 1,4-benzoquinone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

followed by precipitation, to produce high-purity sulfonated triarylmethane dyes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentEP4361127B1Process for the synthesis of sulfonated triarylmethane compounds
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 PROVEPHARM LIFE SOLUTIONS
  • EP4361127B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361127B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361127B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a compound corresponding to the formula, this process being characterized in that it comprises at least one oxidation step of sulfonated triphenylmethane of formula [Chem V] with a quinone selected from 1,4-benzoquinone, 1,2-benzoquinone, a dialkyl(C1-C4) 1,4-benzoquinone, a dialkyl(C1-C4) 1,2-benzoquinone, a monoalkyl(C1-C4) 1,4-benzoquinone, a monoalkyl(C1-C4) 1,2-benzoquinone. Novel crystalline form of Patent Blue, sodium salt.